Faced with surging demand and costs, the Oak Park-River Forest Food Pantry will no longer be handing out free hams and turkeys for Christmas and Thanksgiving. The past three years, lines have snaked around the block at First United Church of Oak Park, as pantry clients showed up in droves for the main dish of their holidays.

On a recent assignment, Wednesday Journal Photo Editor, J. Geil, was surprised to find that the Oak Park and River Forest Food Pantry, located in the basement of First United Church, does not have air conditioning. Geil is determined to raise enough money to purchase AC units for the Food Pantry.

Every year the Girl Scouts of Oak Park and River Forest conduct a massive food drive that benefits the OPRF Food Pantry. In recent years, the needs of our community have increased significantly and now the Food Pantry serves 1400 families a month. Last year the Girl Scouts collected more than 10,000 pounds of food and hope to do it again this year.

I know food is donated, I also know some is bought with cash donated, I cannot see why eggs are expired date when we receive them. I received molded bread item that I did not check while I was there, I received spoiled pork chops, I attempted to cook the next day. There is a new man running pantry now, so maybe he is not attentive as a woman, someone should check dates and perishable items before given out. All people, especially elderly might not be aware of dates and molded bread items. I have never received eggs with a expired date on the carton until the last Wednesday in November.